A bill establishing horse processing plant operation and meat inspection regulations was passed by the Missouri House of Representatives on Monday (March 29). HB 1747 also requires plant operators to pay registration and processing fees to underwrite meat inspection costs.
 
The bill now moves to the state Senate for review. Bill sponsor Rep. Jim Viebrock, expects the Senate to act on the measure before the legislative session ends in mid-May.

Missouri is among several states where horse slaughter legislation is either pending or has passed.

An Illinois measure to repeal a state prohibition against horse processing for human consumption is pending. A Wyoming bill allowing state livestock to process abandoned horses and sell their meat to prisons and other state institutions was signed into law last month.

Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers are considering two bills that would make it a felony to slaughter horses and sell their meat for human consumption